A lifeguard said at one point nearly eight sharks traveled up and down the shoreline. Their presence created a mixture of caution and curiosity among Environmental Studies Center campers on what Counselor Michelle Fowler said was a serendipitous field trip.

“We got out of the water to keep the kids safe, walked along the shore and saw two 7-feet long sharks” Fowler said. “Their fins came out. The kids loved it. It was awesome. And (the sharks) are still out there.”

Life guards said authorities with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office indicated the sharks were reported just before 2 p.m. Monday, and were in plain sight within minutes.

“Any time you’re around a creature like that you should definitely be concerned, and yes, that’s why we have everybody out of the water right now,” said lifeguard Justin Baker. “When you come to a life-guarded beach, that’s what you should come to expect, that we’re going to be watching. We’re always out there to protect people.